Bib apron and fasteners therefor



June 30, 1953 H. M. THOMPSON BIB APRON AND FASTE'NERS THEREFOR Filed Feb.. 24, 1950 INVENTOR.

f .77/20mps012,

ATTE! R N EYE Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE BIB APRON AND FASTENERS THEREFOR Henry M. Thompson, Hampton, Va.

Application February 24, 1950, Serial No. 145,930

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to bibs used for infants, invalids, and the like and in particular a bib having an apron removably attached to the outer edge of a pocket in the lower end thereof and in which fasteners are provided for temporarily attaching the outer edge of the pocket to the edge of a table top, tray of a high chair, or the like, whereby with the apron extended to cover the fastening elements the possibility of liquids or solids dropping into the lap of an infant or invalid is substantially eliminated.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved bib that positively protects the clothes of an infant or invalid wearing the bib.

Various attempts have been made to attach the lower end of a bib to the tray of a high chair, edge of a table, or the like but even with the edge of the bib temporarily attached to the edge of a tray or table foods, and particularly liquids pass between the fastening elements and soil the garments. With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a bib having a pocket in the lower end with fastening elements removably attached to the outer edge of the pocket and with an apron extended from the pocket and covering the fastening elements and immediate portion of the table top, tray or the like.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for attaching a protecting apron to the lower end of a bib whereby with the lower end of the bib attached to the edge of a tray, table, or the like it is substantially impossible for liquids and other products to drop between a. person wearing the bib and a table or tray on which food and the like is positioned in front of the person.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bib having a pocket in the lower end with an apron extended from the upper edge of the pocket in which the parts are readily removable for washing and cleaning.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved bib having a pocket with fastening elements on the outer edge and with an apron extended from the pocket, which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a bib having a supporting neck strap at the upper end with a pocket positioned across the lower end, with suction cups removably mounted in the upper edge of the pocket and with an lapron extended from the pocket.

Other features and advantages of the inven- 2 tion will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the bib with the apron shown in section.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the bib and apron, taken on line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional plan through the bib taken on line 3--3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a detail showing a section through the outer edge of the pocket of the bib and through the inner edge of the apron illustrating the method of removably attaching the apron and suction cups to the bib.

Figure 5 is a detail illustrating a modification wherein the suction cups are replaced by clip fasteners.

Figure 6 is a detail taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5 illustrating straps positioned on the edge of a table or tray for receiving extended ends of the fasteners shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a detail illustrating a further modication wherein adhesive tape is used to secure the edge of the pocket to the edge of a tray or table top.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved bib of this invention includes an apron I0 having a neck band or supporting strap II at the upper end with a flap I2 at the lower end folded upwardly at the point I3 to provide a pocket I4 and having a tray or table covering element or panel I5 attached to the outer edge of the pocket by mounting screws I6 of suction cups I1.

The edges of the apron I0 are provided with binding strips I8 and I9 and pleats 20 and 2l are provided in the edges to take up excess material to compensate for forming the upper edges inwardly as shown in Figure l. A corresponding binding strip 22 is provided across the outer edge of the section I2 of the pocket. The mounting studs I6 of the suction cups I'I are positioned in the hem 22. as illustrated in Figure 4 and the suction cups I'I are provided with threaded inserts 23 by which they are threaded on the outer ends of the studs I6. The studs I6 are provided with collars 24 and 25 which rigidly hold the studs in the binding 22.

The tray or table covering element or panel I5 is provided with openings 26 that are positioned over the threaded ends of the studs I6, as shown in Figure 4 and with the parts mounted in this manner the tray or table covering element or panel and also the suction cups may be removed for cleaning.

With the parts arranged in this manner the tray or table covering element or panel is temporarily attached to the outer edge of the pocket and with the outer edge of the pocket secured to the edge of a table or tray, as indicated by the numeral 21 liquids or products dropped upon the tray or table covering element or panel will run into the pocket instead of dropping between the lower end of the bib and edge of the table,

`In the design illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 U- shaped straps 23 are secured to the edge of the table 29 by screws 30 and strips 3| with pins 32 in the ends thereof are inserted through the openings under the strips 28, as illustrated whereby the outer edge 33 of a pocket having an outer panel 34 may be temporarily attached to the edge of a table. The strips 33 are mounted on studs 35 similar to the studs IG except that the outer ends are riveted over providing heads 36.

In the design illustrated in Figure '7 an edge 31 of lan outer panel of a pocket is attached to the edge of a tray 38 by a strip of adhesive tape 39 which is folded over with one end attached to the panel of the pocket and the other attached to the edge of the tray.

The improved bib of this invention, therefore, provides a pocket for catching liquid and other products dropped upon the adjoining surface of a tray or table, and with the tray or table covering element or panel positioned over the table top or tray the products pass into the pocket instead of dropping upon the lap, or other clothes of an infant or of an inv-alid on which the bib is positioned. The bib apron may be made of any suitable material particularly of a disposable material.

It will be understood that other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In a bib comprising an apron having adjustable fastening means at the upper end, the lower end of said bib extended upwardly and secured at the edges to provide a pocket, fastening elements xedly mounted in the upper edge of the outer wall of the pocket, suction cups with fastening elements in the inner ends thereof connected to the fastening elements in the upper edge of said wall of the pocket, and a panel extended outwardly from the upper edge of said wall of the pocket mounted on the said fastening elements in the upper edge of said wall of the pocket.

HENRY NI. THOMPSON.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 590,991 Lenhart Oct. 5, 1897 704,206 Newlin July 8,l 1902 2,105,029 Doty Jan. l1, 1938 2,457,725 Rhowinine Dec. 28, 1948 2,532,932 Neiswander Dec. 5, 1950 

